Carl Edward Rischer

Carl Edward Rischer lived a life defined by curiosity, creativity, and love. He was born May 12, 1938 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Enid Catherine King and Carl Jacob Rischer and grew up in California—from Sacramento to Los Angeles to the Lancaster desert— collecting stories with cousins and friends that he would later tell with unforgettable charm, becoming a master storyteller.

After high school, Carl worked as a lineman by day and ice skated by night, even considering a leap into the Ice Capades. Around that time, a friend handed him a book that opened the world of learning to him and from then on, Carl became a lifelong student and teacher.

He attended community colleges in Southern California before earning his bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and later a master’s degree in zoology and a PhD in human biology from UCLA. In the 1970s, he found his perfect calling at Long Beach City College, where he taught life sciences for more than 30 years. A gifted connector and educator, Carl delighted in helping students discover wonder in the world around them and their abilities. He loved taking students on survival treks to the high desert and Sierras and students loved being with him. He authored several respected textbooks.

Carl lived with exuberant intensity, taking everything on as if he were getting a Ph.D in it. If it involved fresh air, he loved it—sailing, kayaking, hiking, camping, diving, golfing, and especially fishing. He was a master fly caster and led many well-loved fishing trips to Alaska, teaching anyone who showed interest how to present the perfect fly. He was equally passionate about art, winning awards for his paintings and later embraced the world of digital art, working to master the new technology.

Family and relationships anchored Carl’s life. He married Joleen O’Brien in 1962, and together they raised three children. Even after their marriage ended, he created countless adventures with his children and stayed devoted to nurturing those bonds.

In 1995, Carl met Carol Huffaker, and they developed a lasting, deeply loving relationship filled with adventure, laughter, special artistic love notes, and mutual admiration. They married in 2000, and with Carol's four grown children, the family expanded. Carl embraced every moment—painting, dancing, traveling, singing, eating well, and savoring time with those he loved.

In more recent years, Alzheimer’s disease clouded Carl’s world, but his good nature remained to the end. He continued to find joy in familiar faces, music, mountains, sunsets and moments of connection. In 2024, Carl and Carol moved from their beloved Rossmoor, California, to Draper, Utah, where he received wonderful care from nurses and staff at Ashford Memory Care and family.

Carl passed away peacefully on November 8, 2025, surrounded by family.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; children Lisa (Dan), Lori, and Jared Michael; stepchildren Cindy (Bill), Laurany, Steve (Julie), and Rick; thirteen grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; and his brother Kenneth (LaDonna). He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Laurence.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 22, at Larkin Mortuary Chapel, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah, at 11:00am In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to further Alzheimer’s research at Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research https://www.alzinfo.org/donate/donation_form/